Apparatus to facilitate the mounting, supporting and assembling of a crib-type bed

ABSTRACT

Apparatus preferably molded of synthetic resin and mounted directly to the corner post of a bed such as a crib or the like. The apparatus is a one-piece unit that combines the hardware that is necessary to mount, adjust and lock the movable sides of such a bed, as well as the longitudinal framing members of the bed itself, and the support and adjustment members of a mattress carrier used with the bed.

[ 51 Mar. 7, 1972 United States Patent Van Riper, Jr.

Chancellor, Jr... 7/1969 Anderson 3,480,974 12/1969 Royce............... 3,393,012 7/1968 3,455,605

[54] APPARATUS TO FACILITATE THE MOUNTING, SUPPORTING AND ASSEMBLING OF A CRIB-TYPE BED Siege] et al....

Primary Examiner-(Jasmir A. Nunberg Attorney-Woodard, Weikart, Emhardt & Naughton Oct. 15, 1969 ABSTRACT Apparatus preferably molded of synthetic resin and mounted [21] Appl. No.: 866,606

directly to the comer post of a bed such as a crib or the like. 100, 5/10 [52] US. (I

The apparatus is a one-piece unit that combines the hardware that is necessary to mount, adjust and lock the movable sides 4711 7/03 -5/ 9 100, 299, of such a bed, as well as the longitudinal framing members of 297/4 1316- 24/243 245 A the bed itself, and the support and adjustment members of a mattress carrier used with the bed.

[51] lnt.Cl. [58] FieldofSearch.........................

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 8Claims,3DrawingFigures PATENTEUHAR 1 1972 SHEET 1 BF 2 Fig.1.

PATENTEUMAR 7 I972 3,646,622

SHEET 2 OF 2 INVENTORY Excumzu \N. VAN R\Pew )2. B I MBDAMMQM M YMMV ATTORNEYS APPARATUS TO FACILITATE TI-IlE MOUNTING, SUPPORTING AND ASSEMBLING OF A CRIB-TYPE BED BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to the art that is concerned with cribtype beds, and more particularly with the structural elements thereof.

2. Description of the Prior Art Heretofore there has been universal recognition of the problems inherent in properly assembling the hardware that is used to mount, adjust and lock the movable sides of a crib or child's bed. Still further, there have also been problems in assembling the hardware that supports the longitudinal framing members of such a bed, as well as the mattress carrier therefor. Because of the circumstances and conditions under which infant or invalid beds are used it has been necessary to plate, paint or otherwise moistureor corrosion-proof the hardware. The hardware has frequently been characterized by having burrs and/or sharp comers and edges which might endanger the infant using the bed or crib. The present invention is preferably molded of synthetic resin in a one-piece configuration thereby facilitating and making relatively easy the assembly of the aforementioned hardware. The apparatus eliminates the necessity of plating, painting or otherwise proofing the hardware. It is also free of all burrs, as well as sharp corners and edges and still further incorporates a safety lock for the mattress-height adjustment tab to prevent accidental displacement and failure of the mattress support.

It is a primary object of the present invention to combine the several pieces of the conventional bed hardware such as brackets, springs and the like into a one-piece unit or apparatus.

The problems inherent in crib construction are described in Royce U.S. Pat. No. 3,365,731. This patent however, does not teach nor disclose the one-piece configuration let alone a piece molded from synthetic resin.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In its preferred embodiment the present invention contem plates the use of a molded one-piece unit formed of synthetic resin. It combines into one piece the several pieces that have heretofore been used separately in connection with beds such as cribs and invalid beds.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the invention shown mounted in a use position in a crib having a drop side.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the upper portion of the one-piece apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a portion of a modified form of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT In FIG. I of the drawings, the invention is shown generally at 10, it being mounted on a crib shown generally at 11. The crib includes two endboards 12 and 13, one of which may be considered a headboard and the other a footboard. Connected to the headboard 12 are the legs or cornerposts l4 and 15, while the legs or cornerposts l6 and 17 are connected to the so-called footboard l3. Horizontal rails of conventional type and character are shown at 18, 19 and 20.

While cribs may have two drop sides or movable sides as desired, the present invention is shown in use with a crib that has but one drop side, it being shown generally at 21. The particular drop side shown has an upper rail 22, a lower rail 23 and crib slats 24 connecting the two.

Mounted adjacent the top and the bottom of each of the four legs or cornerposts is a crib rod 25. The drop side is slidable up and down these rods.

Referring to the apparatus per se shown generally at 10, it consists of an elongated central portion 10a having inwardly turned upper and lower flange portions 26 and 27. Springs 28 and 29 are molded respectively to the upper and lower flanges as an integral part of the apparatus. These springs produce the tension necessary to lock the sides of the crib. They also cushion the fall of the drop side.

The central, longitudinally extending portion of the invention is raised as shown particularly in FIG. 2. Holes 30 and 31 are formed through this centrally raised portion to accommodate and receive mounting screws so that the apparatus may be secured to the leg or comerpost of the crib.

A series of vertically spaced, intersecting holes 32, 33 and 34 are formed in the centrally raised portion to make possible the adjustment of the height of the mattress carrier shown generally at 35. These holes are shown to be of the bayonet slot type and are adapted to receive the button portion 36 of the flexible strap 37. While only one such button is shown in the drawings and more particularly in FIG. 2 it is to be understood that the opposite end of the strap will have a similar button that faces inwardly. The button is sized to be received within the upper portion of hole 32 whereupon it is lowered by gravity into the narrowed, slot portion of the hole. The button that is shown, namely button 36 in FIG. 2 is similarly received in an intersecting hole or bayonet slot (not shown) formed in the frame of the mattress carrier 35.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 3 there is additionally provided a bracket shown generally at 38. If it is desired to have a bracket of this character it is to be molded as an integral part of the apparatus. It will accept and secure the longitudinal framing members 39 that run along the side of the crib from end to end thereof. The bracket includes an inverted L-shaped socket 40 which is sized to receive the end of one of the longitudinal framing members of the crib. The bracket also includes gussets 41 which serve to strengthen it. The bracket also has a locking pin 42 which serves the purpose of preventing disengagement of the framing member from the adjacent comerpost or leg.

It will be observed that the springs include openings 43 to receive and retain the crib rod 25.

It is thus apparent that in a one-piece unit or apparatus there is included all of the hardware that is needed to mount, adjust and lock the drop sides of the crib, the longitudinal framing members thereof as well as the support and adjustment members of the mattress carrier. It is virtually impossible for the child during even the worst seige of jouncing" to cause the mattress carrier to fall. That is to say, the flexible strap 37 as well as its button construction is such as to enable the carrier to be raised or lowered and to be retained in that position without other than a very remote concern that the child will succeed in inadvertently causing accidental displacement and failure of the mattress support or carrier.

It is also apparent that the nature of this one-piece apparatus is such as to facilitate pigmentation in a myriad of colors, which even though scratched or marred nonetheless retain their color. Still further the material resists attack by common household disinfectants, by urine, by Vaporizers, or by high-humidity conditions.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus to facilitate the mounting, supporting and assembling of a bed having cornerposts, a drop side and a mattress carrierwith horizontally spaced holes comprising;

a. a one-piece unit mounted on one of the cornerposts of said bed,

b. said unit having a series of vertically spaced holes formed therein,

c. and a flexible strap having two nesting elements, said strap connecting said carrier and said unit with said elements being nested within a hole of said unit and of said carrier respectively.

2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said unit includes springs molded as an integral part thereof in spaced vertical relation in the line of travel of said drop side.

includes a slide rod, and said springs have openings formed therein to receive said rod therethrough.

7. Apparatus as defined by claim 3 wherein said bracket includes a locking member to prevent disengagement of said framing member.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 in which the nesting elements are oppositely facing. 

1. Apparatus to facilitate the mounting, supporting and assembling of a bed having cornerposts, a drop side and a mattress carrier with horizontally spaced holes comprising; a. a one-piece unit mounted on one of the cornerposts of said bed, b. said unit having a series of vertically spaced holes formed therein, c. and a flexible strap having two nesting elements, said strap connecting said carrier and said unit with said elements being nested within a hole of said unit and of said carrier respectively.
 2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said unit includes springs molded as an integral part thereof in spaced vertical relation in the line of travel of said drop side.
 3. Apparatus as defined by claim 2 wherein said unit includes a bracket molded as an integral part thereof to receive and support the longitudinal framing member of the bed.
 4. Apparatus as defined by claim 1 wherein said unit is molded from synthetic resin.
 5. Apparatus as defined by claim 1 wherein said holes are of the bayonet slot type.
 6. Apparatus as defined by claim 2 wherein said drop side includes a slide rod, and said springs have openings formed therein to receive said rod therethrough.
 7. Apparatus as defined by claim 3 wherein said bracket includes a locking member to prevent disengagement of said framing member.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1 in which the nesting elements are oppositely facing. 